Cloning vector in cells

 Cloning vector in cells

A cloning vector is a small piece of DNA that can be stably maintained in an organism, and into which a foreign DNA scrap can be fitted for copying purposes The cloning vector may be DNA was taken from a contagion, the cell of an advanced organism, or it may be the plasmid of a bacterium The vector contains features that allow for the accessible insertion of a DNA scrap into the vector or its junking from the vector, for illustration through the presence of restriction spots. The vector and the foreign DNA may be treated with a restriction enzyme that cuts the DNA, and DNA fractions therefore generated contain either deaden ends or protuberances known as sticky ends, and vector DNA and foreign DNA with compatible ends can also be joined together by molecular ligation. After a DNA scrap has been reproduced into a cloning vector, it may be further subcloned into another vector designed for more specific use.

Cloning vector in cells

Types of Cloning Vectors

A large number of cloning vectors are available, and choosing the vector may depend upon a number of factors, such as the size of the insert, copy number, and cloning method.

Plasmid 

A plasmid is a small, circular piece of DNA that is different than the chromosomal DNA, which is all the genetic material found in an organism's chromosomes. It replicates independently of chromosomal DNA. Plasmids are mainly found in bacteria, but they can also be found in archaea and multicellular organisms. Plasmids usually carry at least one gene, and many of the genes that plasmids carry are beneficial to their host organisms. Although they have separate genes from their hosts, they are not considered to be independent life.

General Types of Plasmids:-

An accurate description of cloning vectors, specifically focusing on plasmids as a type of cloning vector. Plasmids are commonly used in molecular biology for cloning purposes due to their ability to replicate independently of the chromosomal DNA in bacteria and other organisms. They can carry foreign DNA fragments and be transferred between cells through conjugation or other methods.

There are different types of plasmids with various functions and characteristics:

1. Conjugative and Non-Conjugative Plasmids: 

Conjugative plasmids possess transfer genes that enable the transfer of genetic material between bacterial cells through conjugation. Non-conjugative plasmids lack these transfer genes and can only be transferred in the presence of conjugative plasmids.

2. Incompatibility Plasmids: 

Plasmids that have the same replication strategy within a cell are considered incompatible. Incompatible plasmids cannot coexist within the same cell and will be expelled or lost.

3. Fertility (F-plasmids): 

Fertility plasmids contain transfer genes that facilitate conjugation and allow genes to be transferred between bacteria. Bacteria with F-plasmids are F positive (F+), while those without are F negative (F-).

4. Resistance (R) Plasmids: 

Resistance plasmids carry genes that provide resistance to environmental factors such as antibiotics or toxins. Some resistance plasmids can be transferred between bacteria, contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance.

5. Virulence Plasmids: 

Virulence plasmids turn bacteria into pathogens, causing disease. These plasmids can enhance the pathogenicity of bacteria and facilitate their spread.

6. Degradative Plasmids: 

Degradative plasmids carry genes that encode enzymes capable of breaking down specific compounds not commonly found in nature. They enable bacteria to digest and utilize these compounds as a source of nutrients.

7. Col Plasmids: 

Col plasmids contain genes that produce bacteriocins, which are proteins that can kill other bacteria. They provide a competitive advantage to the host bacterium by defending against other bacteria.

These are some of the general types of plasmids used as cloning vectors in molecular biology research. Each type has specific features and functions that make them suitable for different cloning purposes.